SE512344C2 - Absorbent product such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence cover, a panty cover or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, a panty pad or a guard for persons afflicted with light incontinence, intended to be worn in the crotch part of underwear and having a generally elongated shape which includes two long sides (5, 6), two short sides (7, 8), two end parts (10, 11), a central part (9) between the end parts, a liquid-permeable sheet (2) intended to face towards the wearer's body, a liquid-impermeable sheet (3) intended to face away from the wearer's body, and an absorbent layer (4) located between these sheets, wherein the article further includes a main body (1) and at least two fastener flaps (12, 13) located on the liquid-impermeable sheet of the article, wherein the flaps are arranged to take a first use position A in which they form an angle alpha to the liquid-impermeable sheet (3), wherein in addition to the first use position A the flaps (12, 13) are also arranged to take a second use position B in which they lie against the liquid-impermeable sheet (3), and wherein the flaps (12, 13) are able to swing between their first use position A and their second use position B.

Description

Ladies, panty liners and incontinence guards are usually attached to the crotch of the user's underwear by means of glue applied in stripes or other patterns on the barrier layer on the back of the article. To protect the glued surfaces during storage and transport, these are covered before the use of release-treated protective strips which are removed by the user in connection with the absorbent article being applied to the underpants.

In order for the absorbent article to be removable from the underpants, the adhesiveness of the adhesive must be weighed against its release ability.

This means that the user may have problems with the product releasing from the underwear during use, in whole or in part. Even if the product only partially releases, it will most likely wrinkle. This has the consequence that leakage of body fluid, especially on the edges of the underwear, occurs.

To solve this problem, it is known to provide the absorbent article with side projections projecting from its long sides. Such side flaps are intended to be folded around the edge of the user's underpants and attached to the outside of these, usually by means of glue applied to the back of the flaps. The flaps will thus reduce the leakage of body fluid onto the underpants, partly by physically protecting the edges of the user's underpants, and partly by ensuring a better attachment of the article to the underpants. Fastening tabs of this type are described i.a. in SE 455 668, US 4 285 343, EP 130 848, EP 134 086 and US 4 608 047.

The side flaps described above work well in cases where the underpants to which the article is to be attached have a crotch portion which is narrow enough for the fls to reach nmti to a sufficient extent to provide a satisfactory grip for the fls. If, on the other hand, the crotch portion of the underpants is very wide and is not substantially flat, as is the case, for example, with so-called boxer shorts, a construction as above will fail. The object of the invention is to remedy the above problems and to produce an absorbent article which has a fastening system which works in different types of underpants.

Kpfj; DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An article of the kind initially mentioned in which the problems associated with previously known such articles have been substantially eliminated is characterized according to the invention in that the flaps are arranged to assume a first position of use A where they form an angle and to the liquid-blocking layer. their first operating position A are arranged to assume a second operating position B where they abut against the liquid-barrier layer and that the fls are pivotable between their first operating position A and their second operating position B.

According to alternative embodiments of the invention, the upp ices have an outside, an inside and are attached to the liquid barrier layer of the main body at a distance from the long sides of the article and have fastening means intended to be attached to the user's underwear and the fl ices resilient around their first position containing 5-100% cellulose fibers, which sheet has a density between 0.2 and 1.0 g / cm 3 and a basis weight between 30 and 2000 g / m2, and which sheet is formed by compressing a web containing cellulose fibers without subsequent defibration and formation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the problem of attachment of an absorbent article to panties of different wide crotch range.

This is achieved by the article, instead of, as described above, attaching edges to the side edges of the article intended to be folded around the edges of the underpants, fixing the edges on the side of the article which has a liquid-impermeable surface.

Another way to further reduce the risk of body fluid that may be absorbed outside the center of the article leaking through the back of the article is to mix in superabsorbent in the absorbent material at the end portions of the article. The term superabsorbent refers to those polymeric absorbent materials in the form of powders, particles, granules, films, or the like which can absorb once their own weight of liquid to form an aqueous gel. The superabsorbent prevents liquid dispersal of the absorbent body by absorbing and chemically binding liquid. In this way, the superabsorbent functions both as an absorption material and as a barrier against leakage out of the absorbent article.

As the product is fitted with side soms that hold it in position in the user's underpants, the product will not slip out of position or wrinkle. The liquid secreted by the user will therefore hit the circumferential portion of the article and be absorbed by the part of the absorbent body which lies between the flaps.

In order to prevent liquid leakage over the side edges of the article and the accompanying soiling of the user's clothing, it may be appropriate to provide edge leakage barriers along the longitudinal side edges of the article. Such edge leakage barriers can be compression patterns of various kinds, created for example by mechanical, or thermomechanical compression or by ultrasound. It is also conceivable to form edge leakage barriers by heat or ultrasound melting thermoplastic material in, for example, the cover layer of the article or in its absorbent body so that liquid-tight barriers are formed along the elongate side edges of the article. The thermoplastic material may be in the form of a thermoplastic film, or as fibers or particles contained in a nonwoven casing layer, or involved in the absorbent body.

Liquid barriers can further be provided by the application of liquid-resistant adhesive along the product, or by the mixing of superabsorbents in the edge portions of the absorbent body. Such superabsorbents bind the absorbed body fluid and prevent it from being transported out over the side edges. Another way of providing an obstacle for the body fluid to pass the side edges of the article is to provide slits, or notches in the absorbent material along the side edges of the article.

If this is deemed appropriate, it is possible to arrange corresponding, transverse, liquid specks in relation to the longitudinal direction of the article, in order to limit the liquid distribution in the longitudinal direction of the article. These can be applied, for example, between the ridge portion of the article and its end portions.

The invention will be described in more detail below in the form of exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying figures. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, but these are only intended to explain and illustrate the invention.

Brief description of the figures.

Figure 1 shows a sanitary napkin seen from the side of the sanitary napkin that is intended to be turned away from the user.

Figure 2 shows a sanitary napkin seen from one long side with the flaps arranged in a first use position.

Figure 3 shows a sanitary napkin seen from one short side with the flaps arranged in a first use position.

Figure 4 shows a sanitary napkin seen from one long side with the flaps arranged in a second use position.

Figure 5 shows a sanitary napkin seen from one short side with the fls arranged in a second use position.

Figure 6 shows a sanitary napkin according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, seen from one short side with the flaps arranged in a first use position.

Figure 7-14 shows a sanitary napkin with different design leakage barriers. Detailed description of gears and embodiments The sanitary napkin shown in the gears comprises a main body 1 which has a liquid-permeable layer 2 on the side of the main body which in use is intended to face the user, a liquid-barrier layer 3. on the side which in use is intended to be turned away from the user and an absorption layer 4 lying between these two layers.

The main body 1 has a substantially elongated rectangular shape and is bounded in the plane by two long sides 5.6 and two short sides 7.8. The sanitary napkin further has a central portion 9 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the article between its two end portions 10,11. Each cut portion 9 and the end portions 10,11 occupy about one third of the length of the article.

The liquid-barrier layer or backing layer 3 consists of a liquid-impermeable material. Thin, liquid-tight plastic films are suitable for the purpose, but it is also possible to use materials which are initially liquid-permeable, but which are provided with a coating of plastic, resin or other liquid-tight material. This prevents leakage of liquid from the underside of the absorbent article.

The barrier layer 3 can thus consist of any material that meets the criterion of liquid impermeability and exhibits sufficient flexibility and skin friendliness for the purpose. Examples of materials suitable as barrier layers are plastic, nonwoven and larnate of these.

The plastic film can be, for example, made of polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester.

The barrier layer may alternatively consist of a laminate of a liquid-impermeable plastic layer, facing the absorbent body and a nonwoven, facing the user's underwear. Such a construction provides a leak-proof barrier layer with a textile feel.

The absorbent layer 4 is suitably made of cellulosic pulp. This can be in the form of rolls, bales or sheets which are dry-deibrated and transferred in a fluffy form to a pulp mat, sometimes with the admixture of so-called superabsorbents which, as previously mentioned, are polymers capable of absorbing several times their own weight of water or body fluid. Examples of other useful materials are various types of natural fibers such as cotton fibers, peat, or the like. Of course, it is also possible to use absorbent synthetic fibers, or mixtures of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. The absorbent material may further contain additional components, such as shape stabilizing means, liquid dispersing means, or binders such as, for example, thermoplastic fibers which have been heat treated to hold short fibers and particles together into a cohesive unit. It is also known to use different types of absorbent foam material in the absorbent body.

The absorbent layer 4 of the sanitary napkin is covered by a liquid-permeable surface layer 2 arranged on the side of the main body 1 facing the user during use. The material in the surface layer 2 may be, for example, a perforated plastic film, a net of plastic or textile material, a nonwoven or a laminate of e.g. plastic layer and a nonwoven layer.

The plastic may be a thermoplastic, such as polyethylene. The nonwoven material may be of natural fibers, such as cellulose or cotton, or synthetic fibers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, nylon or regenerated cellulose.

The main task of the surface layer 2 in the sanitary napkin is to lead the liquid into the absorption layer 4, to be soft and comfortable against the user's body, and to prevent so-called rewetting i.e. that absorbed body fluid penetrates back to the user's skin. For reasons of convenience and to avoid skin irritation, it is important that the surface of the part of the sanitary napkin that rests on the user's skin is kept as dry as possible during use. A dry surface on the sanitary napkin is also perceived by the user as cooler and more comfortable during use, and is both visually and when handling the sanitary napkin as this must be replaced more appealing than a soiled, wet surface.

Furthermore, the article has two fastening flaps 12, 13, each comprising an inside 14a, b and an outside 15a, b intended to fasten the article to the user's underwear. The fasteners 12, 13 are attached to the main body 1 of the sanitary napkin, for example by being glued, welded, or sewn on, on the side facing the liquid barrier layer 3. The flaps are attached to the liquid barrier layer 3 of the main body on a distance from the long sides of the article 5.6. Preferably, the flaps are attached in the middle of the back of the article, seen from the short sides 7,8 of the article, but they can also be attached closer to the long sides of the article while maintaining a good fastening function V-shaped crotch portions on underwear. In the case where the width of the article in the portion where the wings are attached, the middle portion 9, is 5 cm, a preferred distance to the long sides of the article is 5.6 approx. 2.5 cm. This of course works to scale: Is the width of the middle part e.g. 8 cm, the preferred distance to the long sides of the article will be 4 cm. In these examples the flaps 12,13 are fastened next to each other on the liquid-barrier layer 3. It is also conceivable to fasten the flaps 12,13 closer to the long sides 5,6 of the article and not next to each other. If the width of the article is 5 cm, the ices 12,13 can be attached e.g. 1.5 cm from each long side 5.6. If the width of the article is 8 cm, the ices 12,13 can be attached e.g. 3 cm from the long sides of the product.

Figures 1-3 show an article with the fastening tabs 12,13 arranged in a first use position A where they form an angle ot to the liquid-barrier layer 3. This first use position A can also be described as the tabs 12,13 in the application state of the sanitary napkin extending obliquely outwards from the barrier layer 3 of the napkin in the direction of the longitudinal symmetry line 16 of the napkin towards the respective long side 5,6 so that they form an angle ot. That is, the angle ot is formed between the stretching direction of the respective fastening tab 12,13 and the barrier layer of the sanitary napkin. Figures 4-5 show a sanitary napkin with the fastening 12s 12,13 arranged in a second use position B. In the use position B the fastening tabs abut against the barrier layer 3 of the sanitary napkin and do not form an angle thereto. The first use mode A visati fi gur 1-3 is suitable for applying the napkin in boxer shorts, tights and other similar underwear with a V-shaped, wide crotch. The second use mode B shown in Figures 4-5 is suitable for application in underwear with a mainly flat crotch portion. The first position of use A gives an angle ot between the flaps 12,13 and the liquid-barrier layer 12 which becomes dependent on how steep the V-shape of the branch portion is. The angle ot will vary with the user's body position and movements as well as the nature of the underwear the article is applied in. The angle ot will be between 0 and 90 °. When applied in boxer shorts made of loose, visible material, the angle will be large, approx. 45-90 °, while when applied in tights it will be smaller, between 0 and 45 °. Of course, this is approximate information on the position of the 12s 12,13 in relation to the liquid-barrier layer 2 and thereby to the main body 1. Depending on the movements and position of the user, the angle α will vary. The tabs must, however, have the property that they are resilient around the position of use.

Above all, the first use mode A places special demands on the product. In order for the main body 1 not to wrinkle during use, it must be rigid. This is achieved by one or some of the constituent layers, the liquid-permeable layer 2, the liquid-barrier layer 3 or the absorption layer 4 being rigid or together forming a rigid main body 1. A simple way of achieving a rigid main body 1 which resists wrinkling is to act as an absorption layer. 4 choose a rigid material.

A suitable material for the absorbent layer 4 is the absorbent material described in WO 94/1095. This material is a dry-formed topcoat with high density and stiffness, which can be used directly in an absorbent article, without first being coated. A similar material, with properties particularly suitable for blood absorption, is described in WO 94/10953.

Both of these materials have sufficient rigidity and the ability to withstand deformation to give the main body 1 the dimensional stability required for the construction.

Such a rigid absorbent material described above may consist of a dry-shaped sheet containing 5-100% of cellulose fibers, which has a density between 0.2 and 1.0 g / cm 3 and a basis weight between 30 and 2000 g / m 2, and which sheet is formed by compressing a web. containing cellulose fi ber without subsequent defibration and fluff formation. Since this material absorbs rather slowly, it may be suitable that the absorption layer 4 also comprises an additional, more rapidly absorbing absorbent material arranged closest to the liquid-permeable layer 2. An example of such a fast-absorbing material is so-called. airlaid material.

It can be an advantage if the fastening lugs 12,13 are resilient if they are to be used in their first position A. That the flaps 12,13 are resiliently around the use position A can be an advantage even when the sanitary napkin 12 is used with the latches 12,13 in its second use position B If the flaps 12, 13 are not attached to the barrier layer 3, the resilient effect will cause the main body 1 to be resiliently pressed against the user's body and the risk of gaps between the sanitary napkin and the user's skin is reduced and the sanitary napkin is thereby more leak-proof. A resilient effect can be obtained by providing the main body 1 and the flaps 12,13 with elastic threads 19,20, which are applied in a pre-tensioned position. Such a construction is shown in Figure 6. In this case it may be appropriate for the entire backing layer 3 to be covered by an area of pressure sensitive adhesive 17. By means of this adhesive area the flaps 12, 13 can be attached to the backing layer 3 of the article and the article used in its second use position B. If the user wants to use the article with its 12s 12,13 in its first use position A, the flaps 12,13 are detached from the backing layer 3 and will then, due to the tension of the elastic threads, spring back to the use position A. An alternative to covering the entire backing layer 3 with a glue area 17 is to provide the outside 15a, b of the fastening tabs with pressure-sensitive glue.

The fasteners 17,18 consist of surfaces of self-adhesive glue, but also other types of fasteners such as velcro surfaces or other fastening surfaces of a type which are directly attachable to the materials from which panties or underpants are usually made.

An example of how the fasteners can be applied is shown in Figure 1-5.

The fastening means 17,18 consist of pressure-sensitive glue applied to the liquid-barrier layer 3 and to the inside 14a, b of the fastening tabs 12,13. Figure 1 shows the fastening means as dashed surfaces. The adhesive surface 17 applied to the liquid-barrier layer is only used for attaching the article in case this is to be placed in underwear with a substantially flat crotch area, i.e. when the flaps 12,13 assume their second use position B. In this case the adhesive surface 18 applied to the flaps is also used. insides 14a, b to attach the article to the underwear. If the article is to be attached to underwear with a V-shaped crotch area, such as boxer shorts, only the adhesive surface 18 applied to the insides 14a, b of the flaps is used. Of course, the entire liquid-barrier layer 3 does not have to be covered with glue. It is also conceivable to only apply glue to the tabs 12,13, ie. limytan 18.

The fasteners 17,18 are covered before the use of removable protective papers which are not shown in the figures. The protective paper is removed from the fasteners 17,18 before use. In the case where the fastening means 17, 18 consist of something which does not adhere spontaneously to other surfaces or that its fastening properties do not deteriorate after a detachment from such a spontaneous adhesion, protective paper or the like can be dispensed with.

To reduce the risk of leakage, the article may be provided with edge leakage backbones 21. Different appearances of these barriers are shown in Figures 7-14. The edge leakage barriers can extend along the entire length of the absorbent body, but they can also only cover the middle part of the napkin.

Figures 7 and 10 show edge leakage barriers 21 having a sinusoidal appearance. Figure 8 shows edge leakage barriers with two different repeating patterns alternating. A sinusoidal wave pattern 22 is interrupted by an arcuate section 23 of the edge leakage barrier 21.

The edge leakage barriers 21 shown in Figure 8 show only arcuate sections 23. Figure 10 shows edge leakage barriers 21 with an interrupted pattern. Each interrupted portion has an S-shape 24. These S-shaped sections 24 laid slightly wrapped on a substantially straight row one after the other together form the edge leakage barrier 21. Figures 12 and 13 also show edge leakage barriers with interrupted patterns. In Fig. 12, the edge leakage barriers 21 consisting of a repeating pattern of semicircles are laid slightly wrapped 25. In Fig. 13, the edge leakage barriers 21 are composed of a repeating pattern with an E-shaped appearance 26. The E-shaped sections 26 are wrapped around and laid so that the openings alternately pointing towards the edge 27 of the napkin and alternately towards the center 28 of the napkin.

The absorbent article, on the sides intended to face the user's body, can also be provided with leakage barriers placed transversely, in order to prevent longitudinal spread on the product.

Figure 13 shows how leakage barriers 29 can also be placed transversely on a napkin. The figure shows the same pattern 25 used in fi gur 11 for edge leakage barriers 21. This is just an example. Of course, all patterns which are suitable as edge leakage barriers 21 and which are shown in Figures 6-12 are as suitable as transverse leakage barriers 29 of the same appearance as the edge leakage barriers 21. The patterns listed above as possible for leakage barrier are only examples. Many other patterns are conceivable. The main thing for the pattern to work, of course, is that it blocks liquid from spreading past the pattern and that it does not make the product too stiff or chafe the user. With the help of such patterns as described in the ur gures, purposes other than leakage safety can also be achieved. They can stiffen the product where required or shape the product, for example into a three-dimensional shape. Although the invention has been described above for the sake of simplicity with reference to a sanitary napkin, it is of course the case that the embodiments presented could just as easily have shown light incontinence protection, panty liners or similar absorbent articles covered by the invention.

Claims (5)

512 344 13 Patent claims Absorbent articles, such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner or a cover for slightly incontinent persons, intended to be worn in the crotch area under underwear, which article has a substantially elongated shape and has two long sides (5,6), two short sides (7,8) , two end portions (10, 11), a middle portion (9) located between the end portions, a liquid-permeable layer (2) intended to face the user's body, a liquid-barrier layer (3) intended to face the user's body and an intermediate layer between these layers. absorbent layer (4), which article comprises a main body (1) and at least two fastening tabs (12, 13) located on the liquid-barrier layer of the article, characterized in that the tabs (12, 13) are each attached to the liquid-barrier the layer (3) at a distance from resp. long side (5,6) of the article and from its transverse attachment extends in the direction of resp. long side of the article, the flaps being pivotable about their attachments between a first position of use A, where they form an angle α towards the liquid-barrier layer (3), and a second position of use B, where they abut against the liquid-barrier layer (3). Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the flaps have an inside (14a, b), an outside (15a, b) and that they are attached to the liquid-barrier layer (3) of the main body (1) at a distance from the article. long sides (5.6). Absorbent article according to claim 2, characterized in that the insides (14a, b) of the flaps have fastening means (18) intended to be attached to the user's underwear. Absorbent article according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the flaps (12, 13) are resilient around their first position of use A. Absorbent article according to claims 1-4, characterized in that the absorption layer (4) comprises at least one dry-shaped sheet containing 5-100% cellulose fiber, which sheet has a density between 0.2 and 1.0 g / cm 3 and a basis weight between and 2000 g / m 2 and which sheet is formed by compressing a web containing cellulosic fiber without subsequent defibration and fluff formation.